How To Become A Process Control Technician: What It Is and Career Path

What is a process control technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

John Irwin EdD

Process control technicians are responsible for monitoring control systems of remotely controlled equipment. They use various software to manage the controls and make sure they are in the adequate range. If case-control meters are not in the position they are supposed to be, they have to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.

As a process control technician, you might work for various industries, such as manufacturing, energy production, sanitation, and many more. You will need specialized training to take on this position and have a thorough understanding of pressure, temperature, flow, and other factors that affect the system you work with.

You will need to be okay with performing physical labor, as this job may involve heavy lifting at times. Documenting the processes will also be your responsibility, as well as analyzing performance data.

What general advice would you give to a process control technician?

John Irwin EdD

Chair, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology, Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Michigan Technological University

Engineering technology graduates are masters of technology, gaining a broad and deep understanding of the processes, systems, tools, and techniques necessary to construct, modify, operate, and maintain an engineering design. They act as technological integrators, bridging the gap between the skilled trades and engineering fundamentals. This is a great career path for those who enjoy engineering concepts but would rather spend time working with their hands solving specific technical issues than tackling broader, more complex design challenges.

ScoreProcess Control TechnicianUS Average

Salary

4.1

Avg. Salary $52,452

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.4

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.69%

Asian 7.49%

Black or African American 10.54%

Hispanic or Latino 15.35%

Unknown 4.98%

White 60.95%

Gender

female 18.87%

male 81.13%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress level

7.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a process control technician

Explore process control technician education requirements

Most common process control technician degrees

Associate

41.5 %

Bachelor's

38.9 %

High School Diploma

9.0 %

Start to develop specific process control technician skills

Skills	Percentages
PLC	14.63%
Control Systems	6.44%
Logic Controllers	3.97%
Continuous Improvement	3.83%
HMI	3.77%

Complete relevant process control technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New process control technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a process control technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real process control technician resumes.

Research process control technician duties and responsibilities

Spearhead inspection and packaging equipment for pharmaceutical products per FDA regulations to achieve production goals ahead of schedule.
Help develop standard operating procedure and perform safety reviews to meet OSHA standards.
Create safety programs and lead the site in safety training in compliance with OSHA CFR29 regulations.
Direct activities to ensure that workmanship and testing conform to ISO and QS9001 specifications per customer requirements.

Prepare your process control technician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your process control technician resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a process control technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable process control technician resume templates

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